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Steve Madarasz, a spokesman for the Civil Service Employees Association, says Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s as-yet-unreleased proposal for a new pension tier might include an option for something like a 401(k) retirement savings plan, which have proliferated in the private sector and stand in contrast defined-benefit plans that are offered to most public-sector workers.

“Our understanding is there will be something related to a 401(k) option, but until we see the actual legislation, we just don’t know,” said Madarasz. He said CSEA leaders were briefed on Cuomo’s pension proposal late last week in an “informal” manner.

“We think there are real serious concerns about that approach for public policy,” Madarasz continued. “I don’t want to get into details, but we don’t want to get into details with a Tier VI.”

“We think it’s unnecessary. There have been significant changes under Tier V, and we haven’t even had time to realize those savings yet,” said Wells.

“This clearly complicates contract negotiations. It’s just one more thing to burden and scapegoat public employees,” said Madarasz. “From our perspective, this is just some political grandstanding to impress his millionaire friends and more evidence that he just doesn’t care about the impact about what his policies are doing to working people.”

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